#33 – VEGETARIAN TACO at TACOS EL BRONCO

For the third year in a row, I’m going to attempt to eat every single item on Time Out New York’s annual 100 Best Dishes list. In no particular order, here’s my take on their Top 100. Let the gluttony continue…

I pity the vegetarian who thinks they have to eat only rice and beans. The word vegetarian implies eating vegetables and those wonders of the earth can be so delicious.

That’s really why I was disappointed with the vegetarian taco at Tacos El Bronco. If it wasn’t on Time Out’s list, I probably would never have ordered the meatless option from this divey taco join, but I did. And I was really hoping for much more than what I got.

The portion size didn’t bother me. I was expecting it to be small at $1.50, but it was the lack of interesting fillings that made me question how this made its way onto Time Out’s list. The corn tortilla was certainly brimming with ingredients: tomatoes, shredded lettuce, onions, radishes, avocado, cotija cheese, rice, and beans. These are the basic ingredients to a taco or burrito but the only thing it’s missing is the meat. What’s so special about that? If you’re not going to grill up zucchini or add some huitlacoche or something, then I’d rather just order one with meat!

The flavors were fine and the rice made it filling enough for its size, but unless you’re a vegetarian, why bother? I did taste the cecina (salted beef) taco and can tell these are some solid, authentic and tasty tacos at a great price. I understand wanting to give El Broncos some more press, but I’m afraid this bare taco just kept me wondering, “Where’s the Beef? (or the peppers or mushrooms or squash?)

Would Tacos El Bronco’s Vegetarian Taco make my Top 100 of the year? Nothing about it raised it to the level of not missing the meat, but the ingredients were fresh and the other tacos (with meat) were very successful. They get a 6 out of 10.